Metta & Entangled Mind - Friendz
Art: DayDreemer Visions
Coming in hot with a double sided rhythmic saunter, Metta and Entangled Mind mingle their sonic musings on the Friendz EP. The two tracks "Friendz" and "Calm Before The Storm" dance with individual gaits and mutual palettes, bringing a honed in collection of textures, tones, and movements to their zenith. The suite of sharp percussive samples and audio slices bounces particulate effects between crisp transients, and each successive bar and phrase rolls into shuffles, turnarounds, and juggled rhythms. Warped, buoyant synthesis wraps both polar ends of the frequency spectrum with warm note relationships and sapient melodies, mediating a velvet vibe across the EP. If silk-laden dives into texture and harmony is your flavor of choice, you'll be hard pressed to find the fault lines in the Friendz EP.
All proceeds will be donated to Music & Youth - creating accessible, sustainable, high quality music programs so every young person can experience the magic of music.
To learn more please visit www.musicandyouth.org
FLY & dela Moon - Solar Eclipse
Art: Jake Amason
The west coast lowriders FLY and dela Moon have joined forces to whip up a full-service halftime selector with a jagged bite; “Solar Eclipse” builds to a peak with throttled low-end and reverberant pulses, crashing back down to ground level with a burly bass line.
The track plays out like a halloween saunter, shuffling between sways of melody and razor sharp downbeats. It’s a quintessential mid-tempo sub-killer primed to slap speakers with whipcord ferocity, combining the liquid synthesis and rhythmic swagger of FLY and dela Moon’s productions.
If you’re seeking out your next dose of emulsified bass music, “Solar Eclipse” is more than primed for consumption.
Rhizomorphic - Peculiarity
Art: Kent Baltutat
Equipped with precise cuts, bold grooves, and progressive songwriting, Rhizomorphic puts his plumage on full display in the Peculiarity EP.
Slip-space synthesis slithers through the stereo image across five interlocking tracks, accenting urban rhythms and slick refrains. Every texture carries a specified spatial dominance, giving the tracks and interlocking quality within each respective arrangement.
Each song channels a distinctive, modular attitude; be it jazz, hip-hop, or pure, left-field bass music, the topical blend of styles and sounds delivers an undeniably crisp listening experience. If you’re hankering for something brazen, jovial, and properly spiced, Rhizomorphic’s Peculiarity EP is poised to satisfy your cravings.
Iszlai - Jazzamped
Art: Hui-Ching Tseng
The Budapest-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Iszlai has put the finishing touches on a collection of exploratory, genre-merging tracks; Jazzamped blends the borders between freeform composition and timeless sample collaging.
Each track merges a bevy of organic, original instrumentation with precision synthesis and imaginative resampling. The underlying ensemble atmosphere across the album ties it together like a film grain on a dramatic vignette, with every texture feeling at once distinct, specific, and homogenous with the culture of tones that surround it.
It’s hard to avoid the draw of Iszlai’s arrangements, and it’s even harder to pinpoint any comparisons; each song in tandem betrays a stunning compositional scope, and Jazzamped channels that musicianship into a veritable adventure through Iszlai’s aural imagination.
Humandala - Qualia
Art: Matik.
Humandala’s brand of aqueous, soul-infused electronic music takes full flight in the Qualia EP. As a full fledged multi-instrumentalist, his songwriting and performance chops dictate the wide variety of compositional styles under his belt, and Qualia follows suit with five distinct tracks.
Flowing from smooth, jazzified chord progressions and subtle sound design to chunky synthesis and aggressive breakdowns, there’s few stones unturned by Humandala’s musical inquisition. As each track evolves throughout their individual arrangements, so does the EP’s flavor and intensity.
There are no gaps to bridge in Qualia’s journey, with every song interlocking with juxtaposed songs around it like a form-fitting puzzle. It’s a powerful symbiosis that represents the EP’s full-service experience, and solidifies Qualia as Humandala’s most lucid release yet.
Craftal - Lullabytes
Art: m_kulago
Brandishing cerebral glitches and phosphorescent tones, Craftal’s Lullabytes is downtempo electronica in the form of a berceuse. Leaving behind traditional dance-centric arrangements, Lullabytes is distinctly amorphic, with tracks ebbing and flowing into one another with marked fluidity.
There’s a particularly granular approach to composition across the LP, and each arrangement resembles a circular journey, as opposed to a linear story. It’s the sort of musical odyssey that exudes narrative, sans any real words, immersing the listener in a potpourri of hues and emotions.
From the precision sound design, to the various modalities and musical amblings, Lullabytes is sure to deliver a cranial massage on par with Craftal’s zeroed-in musicianship.
maingot. - maingot. EP
Art: maingot.
maingot. makes their way into the limelight with a silky smooth debut release; a self titled EP brandished with steet-wise sensibilities. It's a distinct hip-hop veneer over vivacious r&b rhythms, channeling smokey lounge rooms and 3am nightcaps.
There's no substitution for pure groove, and maingot.'s approach to groove theory pushes broken beat arrangements into sensual territories. Each track rolls into its successor like jabs into right hooks, simultaneously priming ears and palates for the direct cruise through the EP.
It's a resoundingly moody release, and If it's a mood you're craving, maingot. is ready and willing to provide the atmosphere.
Gaddy - Tabernacle Takeover
Art: Diego Zion
The southern battle-waxer Gaddy continues to spearhead his brand of hip-hop fusion in Tabernacle Takeover. This fully packed EP wraps up brazen low-end and broken rhythms into a stereophonic one-inch-punch.
Bass lines slice in and out of the beat in tandem with tight, bright percussion skittering across the stereo space. Each song slides into place across the album like a smooth lattice, ramping up in groove, swagger, and intensity from start to finish, channeling the vibe of late night L-rides and the stirred silica blowing off of city sidewalks.
There's no substitute for being in the pocket, and Gaddy has a firm monopoly on pocketed rhythms across the hip-hop spectrum.
Universe of Sounds - Dulcet
Art: Resonant Language
Combining jazz modalities and emulsified timbres, Denver's Universe of Sounds strikes an emotive musical balance in "Dulcet". Eschewing razor-edged sound design in favor of delicate melodies and scalar twists, "Dulcet" fleshes out as a radiant, vibratory musical journey.
Soaked in reverb and stereo movement, the track fills out with form fitting textures and succinct harmonies. The contents of each phrase spill out into the next, mimicking ebbing tides and foamy shorelines, churning the musical ingredients into a blended palette of audible hues and moods. For those looking for a soft impact and a resounding impression, look no further than "Dulcet".
Ovoid - Enigma
Art: Luna Charlotte Art
Ovoid has consistently redefined his approach to composition and production with every subsequent release, and that trend holds fast across the Enigma EP.
With precision finesse and execution, he fleshes out a vision of lush, immersive music. The pace is gradual from track to track, and the full spectrum of tones and attitudes take their time unwinding into one another. His textural approach to synthesis gives each tune a unique signature, and every song feels like the next chapter in a vibrant novella. His use of harmony furthers that vibrancy, showcasing the compositional acumen that comes hand in hand with Ovoid's production insight and sound design capabilities.
The natural instrumentation across the record channels moods of antiquity and intrigue, and reinforce the EP's crystal clear engineering with a powerful emotional depth. Given the immediate impact and rush that comes from tuning into the Enigma EP, there's no question that it stands to substantially reinforce the quality of Ovoid's frugal and meticulous catalog.
Seppa - Dripper ft. Rasp-5 & Lone Drum
Art: Max Burstein
Joining forces from across the Atlantic, Slug Wife’s brazen co-founder Seppa, their resident battle-waxer Lone Drum, and NYC’s very own Rasp-5 busted through the Scoville scale with their latest single, “Dripper”. Pushing bass weight through its paces and fusing low-end ferocity with hip-hop fundamentals, the track is overt, in-your-face, and resoundingly guttural. Rasp-5 stokes the fires of lyricism with sauntered bars and a liquified pattern scheme, while Seppa’s trademarked synthesis slips from out of every downbeat in a boisterous dance between prose and grit. That dance intensifies with Lone Drums audacious scratching, culminating a firestorm of both precision cuts and off-kilter jabs. It’s a staunch tip of the hat to two sounds with far more than common ground between them, curated by our three favorite ne'er-do-wells in the street.
Jonteal - Mezmerize
Art: Resonant Language
Combining infectious rhythms and swollen, emotive textures, Arkansas-based producer Jonteal puts an interesting approach to modern low-end design in his third EP, Mezmerize. His poignant synthesis and compositional command blend into a purée of pure mood music.
The combination of tracks on Mezmerize give it a wide berth for a double sided release; the arrangements are extremely fluid, with tendrils of influence from glitch and psychedelic music reflected with soothing twists. The mid-range patches and tones are smoothed around the edges, trading a soft bite for a large impact.
Jonteal’s diverse use of stereo space allows every melody and rhythm to shine in synchronicity. Bright, precision percussion and thumping downbeats are the workhorse of both tracks, matching up with the movements of each bass line with whipcord ferocity. The mingling of that ferocity and an abundance of atmospheric movement define Jonteal as a forward thinking musician, and highlight a deep affinity for structure and tonal relationships. The powerful undercurrent of those relationships is what gives Mezmerize it’s lasting impact.
Tom Lokhem - Alone
Art: Imagine Visual Lab
Combining porous ambience and droning melodies, Colombia native Tom Lohkem casts a soothsayer’s spell on his single, “Alone”. The track is textured and succinct, with each sound given ample room to breathe within their respective layers. Placing the focus on lead melodies and percussive innards emphasizes the dynamic range accomplished through Lokhem’s clever production and engineering. Floating within a sensual vibe, “Alone” touches on the emotive synapses through potent, orchestral composition.
5AM Trio - Triovision
Art: 5AM
Hurling through stereo space and time, the 5AM project has fused a myriad of collaborative forces into a space-aged ensemble. He has brought to full fruition a vision of electronic music that pulls from the expansive arrangement styles of jazz and jam, and was borne from the stage as much as the studio. The addition of fellow Philadelphians ZONE Drum's dynamic percussion and Tygris' combination of electronic production, bass guitar, and turntablism has brought 5AM's music into fresh, improvisational territory. Over a year of trio appearances across the country and countless hours spent practicing and workshopping the tunes have forged this combined musical might into a fierce, producer-driven, multi-instrumental act, and this synergy has produced a lush, organic set of tunes; the Triovision EP.
The hi-fi production and fluid composition across Triovision are in line with 5AM’s conventional output, but the addition of Tygris and ZONE Drums on the record itself amounts to far more than just a touch of extra spice. Brazen cuts, organic fills, and instrumental synchronicity breathe a whole new life into 5AM’s patented blend of soul, jazz, and sheer bass weight. The added complement of Maya Elise’s vocal work and call-and-response guitar licks from Keith Wadsworth of Wax Future spread a lasting blanket of emotion across the record, accenting the concise production with succinct musicianship. Each track complements the greater whole of Triovision, gradually building on tempo, tension, and arrangement. It’s the typified journey through sound, brought to life through rounded edges, sultry chord progressions, and precision engineering. As an instrumentalist, 5AM’s chops have never been shone so brilliantly, and as a composer, Triovision is a well-rounded re-interpretation of his signature sonic adventures.
MALAKAI - Odd Views
Art: A.L. Grime
With sharper edges, elevated sound design and a new posse of collaborators, MALAKAI comes correct on his fourth EP, Odd Views. It’s been more than two years since the New York City-based producer first released with The Rust, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago.
On these four tracks it’s plain to hear that MALAKAI’s sound design and songwriting have improved and his intent has sharpened. The sonic material itself isn’t revolutionary, but the subtle ways he moves and shapes the sounds gives attitude to the songs. Strong as ever is MALAKAI’s ability to communicate a feeling with melody, harmony, and note choice. Only now, the feelings are different. He’s deviated ever so slightly from his usual earthy, acoustic, mystical motifs. The void that remains is filled with something grittier, more urban, more direct.
His friends have changed, too, It’s reflected in the posture of this EP, which features Thought Process, pheel., and cuts from Bogtrotter. These producers, who are heavily influenced by hip-hop, deliver great bounce and buoyancy on their features. It’s still MALAKAI’s signature sound - grazing along, moving forward with swing and without haste. Not quite glitch hop, not quite dub, not quite hip-hop, but a home brew with all these ingredients. The edges are again sharper, the movements more crisp. There’s less to think about and more to groove on.
AMAWALK - Flubbed
Art: Buffalo Jay
AMAWALK cultivates reverberant atmospheres and intuitive arrangements with his dual-track release, Flubbed, taking full advantage of stereo space and musical modalities. It’s his second release through The Rust Music, and a potent expansion of his immersive, genre-blending style.
The one-two punch packaged up in Flubbed is a duality of rhythm and sensuality. Ambient pads and stereophonic echoes combine with world-fusion percussion to create a primal listening experience. The phrasing is simple and elaborate at the same time, showcasing strong songwriting evolution paired with bold sound design choices and a sense of note relationships. Both tunes build on powerful root melodies and syncopated harmonies, so there’s a distinct alliteration to the EP. Open to close, Flubbed is an emotive wave of choice engineering and crisp compositions that aptly displays the ongoing growth of AMAWALK’s musical vision.
Universe of Sounds - Froth
Art: Resonant Language
Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Universe of Sounds brings liquidity and fidelity to the table through his first full release, the Froth EP.
Dripping in synthetic moisture and vibrant melodies, the EP blends texture and melody into a tonally full experience.
“Gumption” brings the energy up with a modern shine to classic glitch hop. Pocketed rhythms serve as a foundation for a vivacious skip through processed string lines and space-aged breaks. Every texture fills the stereo space no more than it needs to, balancing intensity with grace with smooth interpolation. “Peroration” is an airy, percussive swell of glitches and poignant lead lines. It takes its time developing from start to finish, cultivating a complete musical immersion.
For fans of a good headtrip and psychedelic soundscapes, the Froth EP will surely satiate any metaphysical cravings.
Foxtail - Revontulet
Photo: Sunn Kim
Painting: Tom Loranz
The Utah-based audiophile and producer Foxtail reinvents his own wheel with Revontulet. Foxtail’s sound is categorically fluid in every way, and he succeeds in delivering on that fluidity yet again. Each aspect of his songwriting process has continued to mature, from the precise production to the crisp engineering. This maturation process has resulted in a tonally balanced set of five songs that together weave an emotional membrane.
Each track pairs off with the one ahead of it in a spacious, harmonious dance. The synthesis patching across the release is consistent and direct, creating a continuity that holds the record together like glue. Two tracks feature careful, syncopated vinyl cuts that dart through the percussion layers, combining dancefloor sentimentalities with downtempo ambience. Foxtail’s rhythmic structures are concise and hypnotic, carrying each composition straight from headphones to headspace.
Returning fans will remember his last release, Kitsune, as a melodious terminal into the Foxtail audio mythology. Revontulet is its natural successor, honing in on and evolving his undeniably dynamic style. Grouped together with his first release, Vosmana, these three EP’s makeup a dynamic trilogy that spans across the musical mindset of Foxtail.
Kromuh - Shadow Terra
Art: László Magyar
Infusing hip-hop rhythmic fundamentals and outright devilish sound design, Kromuh unleashes the street-smart Shadow Terra. The Chicago-based producer excels in balancing bass weight and intuitive grooves, coming this time with three original tracks plus a collaboration with fellow neuronaut VCTRE. This music can be enjoyed any number of ways. It’s smooth, letting the listener rock back and forth with grace. But it’s also sharp, encouraging the heads to dig into the precise sound design.
Kromuh didn’t always produce filthy, hip-hop driven bass music. He first cut his teeth on funkier sounds. But once he began dabbling in the darkness, he truly honed in on a specific rude man sound and has elevated it ever since. Shadow Terra represents the next great leap in this journey. Every song slams the frequency spectrum with jagged cuts and pocket percussion serenades, turning otherwise smooth hip-hop rhythms into dance floor carnage.
Rumpistol - In My Room
Music from the Danish producer Jens Christiansen aka Rumpistol has never been conventional. It was his ability to create experimental yet accessible electronic music that first earned him notoriety over a decade ago. Now, a new five-track collection called In My Room finds the producer leaning ever further into that absence of orthodoxy. In My Room takes artistic risk and combines threads from many electronic styles. It showcases non-linear songwriting, bold textures, and uninhibited array of sonic material. Yet despite Rumpistol’s endless tinkering and flirtations with the edge, In My Room still offers a deeply comforting listening experience.
Art: Carlin Diaz
Tempos and moods are fluid throughout this release, but the common denominator is a sense of wonder. The sort of wonder surrounding something ultimate and grand that we can’t quite grasp, yet we know is out there. The sort of wonder that surfaces when we’re lost in thought alone in our room. Rumpistol can fit so many distinct, disparate sounds into his music without creating a crowded mix. Each element has room to breathe. In My Room offers another great example of this dynamic.
In the past several years, Jens has been working with his jazz and world fusion supergroup Kalaha, and maneuvering through the United States’ bass music circuit. The sounds of these two different worlds appear to have heavily influenced In My Room, and as such, it represents a new evolution of Rumpistol’s music.
